Sean McVay Named Coach of the Year by PFWA

January 21, 2018

Sean McVay, the youngest coach in NFL History who’s soon to be 32 years young was announced as the Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

On January 12th, 2017 Sean McVay was hired to become the next Los Angeles Rams head coach and became the youngest head coach in NFL History at 30 years old. McVay came from the Redskins where he was the offensive coordinator under Jay Gruden from 2014-2016. Everyone saw how much of a difference McVay made even on the Redskins as he improved the Redskins offense from being ranked 25th in total offense in 2013 to being 10th in total offense in McVay’s first season as their offensive coordinator. The Rams knew they had their guy once they brought him in.

Sean McVay was the perfect coach for a youthful Rams team that was eager to finally reach the postseason. The player that benefited the most from the McVay hiring was 2nd year QB, Jared Goff. Goff struggled in his rookie season where he went 0-7 as a starter and a completion percentage of just 54.6%. Although he struggled, McVay saw the talent he had in Goff and was ready to take Goff under his wing and get him acclimated to his new system. At the end of the 2017 season, the Rams offense went from being the worst scoring offense in 2016 to the best scoring offense in 2017 which is the first time a team has done that in the Super Bowl era.

The Los Angeles Rams also tasted their first playoff berth since 2004 and their first division title since 2003. Their record improved from 4-12 in 2016 to 11-5 in 2017 as well under Sean McVay. Another key component to McVay’s success this season was the staff he hired on or kept. McVay hired on Wade Phillips to run the defense as his defensive coordinator, while he worked with Matt LaFleur as his offensive coordinator to improve the offense. He also decided to keep John Fassel on as the special team’s coordinator where the Rams were spectacular. McVay was able to bring the young Rams team together and improved in all three phases of the game.

Although the Los Angeles Rams season didn’t end as they would have liked in the Wild Card round where they lost 26-13 against the Atlanta Falcons, they should be excited for what the future holds under the exuberant Sean McVay. McVay is the 9th first-year head coach that the Pro Football Writers of America had crowned as the Coach of the Year and first since 2011 when Jim Harbaugh (San Francisco 49ers) was selected. Others include: Tony Sparano (2008 Miami Dolphins), Sean Payton (2006 New Orleans Saints), Jim Haslett (2000 New Orleans Saints), Jim Fassel (1997 New York Giants), Dom Capers (1995 Carolina Panthers), Bobby Ross (1992 San Diego Chargers), Art Shell (1990 Los Angeles Raiders).